Best season yet for RCHS water polo

Although the River City High School water polo program began from scratch only five years ago, it is now at its strongest with both boys’ and girls’ varsity teams making it into the San-Joaquin sections and being named Metro League Champions 2013-14.

Senior Jose Sandoval looks to score against McClatchy High School.Photo by Lily Matamoros, River City High School journalism class

In 2009, water polo was introduced to River City. There were hardly any players who participated and the few who did were often recruited from other sports.

This year’s varsity boys’ team had eleven players and the varsity girls’ team had thirteen. The sport has evolved over the years with great players coming and going as the years proceed.

Both boys’ and girls’ teams are coached by Ryan Mosley, known by the players as “Coach Moe.”

The program has evolved from one team into three, and has also become year round. The teams attended local summer and winter tournaments. They qualified for Junior Olympics this past summer and traveled to southern California to play teams from all over the country.

The girls’ team had a remarkable undefeated season this year. They made it to the first round of sections, but weren’t able to move on after their loss of 8-11 against Christian Brothers High School.

The boys’ varsity team won their first round of sections against Oakmont High School with a score of 14-5, but they lost their second match against El Camino High School with a close score of 11-9.

Coach Mosley described the season as “surreal.”

“Five years ago we were losing to teams by 15 points, now we are league champs. I know how much hard work the players have put in.”

Seniors who have been on the team since the beginning are feeling bittersweet as they climb out of the pool for last time.

Captain of the boys’ varsity team, Adam Rodgers, said, “I’ve played water polo all four years of high school, and it’s depressing knowing it’s my last year. But it’s just the bridge between stepping up and playing at another level.”

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